Knox Business Life - November 2011 (Issue 48)

KNOXIssue 48 NOVEMBER 2011Tasty Trucksa worthy business modelWhile 15,000 people a dayuse Tasty Trucks acrossMelbourne, many hundredsmore benefit from theirdonation of food to thehomeless every week.For the past 15 years, Tasty Truckshas been donating vast quantities ofsandwiches, rolls, pies, salad packs, cakesand other freshly prepared meals — toSt Vincent de Paul Society’s soup vans,which go out every night to feedMelbourne’s homeless.Colin Lear established Tasty Trucks in 1989and since then they have been providingmorning tea and lunch to factory andoffice workers, arriving on time each dayand providing a fast and friendly service.ALSOIN THISISSUELocalbusinesseswinawardsSavingenergysaves$40K p.a.Innovateand growwith SEMIPKIOSC toopen in2012Knoxattractive forrelocations‘We have around 64 specially designedand built vans and because we wantto ensure the last places visitedstill have a good selectionof food, we know there isalways a variety of goodquality unsold hot andcold food,’ Colin said.Five years ago, TastyTrucks developed afranchise model for thebusiness with a dozentrucks now operated byfranchise owners. Moreare expected to take ona Tasty Trucks ‘Vanchise’when it is relaunched overthe coming months.These business owners, mostlywomen, join a team of more than 150people at Tasty Trucks who work at theFerntree Gully and Tullamarine depotspreparing the meals and loading the vans.‘We believe that 80 vans will give uscomplete coverage of Melbourne’sindustrial estates and we are on track toachieve that target by the end of 2012.’Environmentally friendlyA feature of the vans is to utilise theenergy from the engine to heat waterthat keeps the ovens hot. The fan forcedovens also have a gas assisted burner.The vans and the refrigeration systemrun on propane gas, which is one of thecleanest fuels available. This makes for avery energy efficient and environmentallyclean vehicle.Using the knowledge Colin and his teamgained in developing their vans, TastyColin Lear’s successfulbusiness providessubstantial contributionsto Melbourne’shomeless.Trucks has also been instrumental in helpingSt Vincent’s design and build their soup vanswhich fully comply with the requirements offood handling laws.The community also benefits from TastyTrucks in another important way withemployees volunteering as part of a monthlyroster system to help out in the soup vans.Tasty Trucks utilises many services from localKnox businesses including fibreglass andstainless steel components, sign writing,bread and frozen food suppliers, and vehiclerefrigeration.www.tastytrucks.com.auwww.vinnies.org.au/soup-vans-vic

Knox Economic DevelopmentINNOVATE ANDGROW WITHSEMIPSEMIP - The South EastMelbourne InnovationPrecinct initiative is a uniquepartnership involving theVictorian State Government,CSIRO, Monash University,Australian Synchrotron, SmallTechnologies Cluster and LocalGovernment Municipalities ofGreater Dandenong, Kingston,Knox and Monash working inconsultation with industry.By building on existing strengths andJürgen Schneideris the new DeputyChair of SEMIP.networks, the SEMIP initiative aims to improveconnections between businesses andbetween businesses and researchers,providing potential for significant longterm job creation in the South EastMelbourne region.Focused on high-end growth sectorsincluding chemicals, polymers, machineryand equipment, applications in transport,health, construction and the environment,the precinct aims to energise the southeast by creating a high profile innovationbusiness and knowledge hub.The precinct is home to a number of uniqueresearch platforms. Clayton is the CSIRO’slargest site in Australia employing 1,100researchers. The Australian Synchrotron is anational facility also located in Clayton andaround the corner from the synchrotron isthe Melbourne Centre for Nanofabricationcurrently operating the largest purposebuiltclean room complex in the SouthernHemisphere.A current example of industry and scienceworking together is the project to developa Bionic Eye lead by a research teamat Monash University. The project hastwo industry partners: Grey Innovation,a company specialising in technologycommercialisation; and MiniFAB, based inthe Small Technologies Cluster at Scoresby.SEMIP concluded a very busy year with the 2011SEMIP Innovation Showcase in June, whichattracted delegates from a range of organisationsaround the region and featured speakers fromcompanies such as Kennovations, Invetech,MiniFAB and Siemens. This diverse offering ofknowledge and experience among delegates andpresenters was highly valuable to attendees whowere looking for ways to further their businesspotential through innovation and collaboration.A calendar of events has been finalised for2011-2012. The focus will continue to be onopening up the unique infrastructure in theregion and building industry connections.Planning for Innovation Showcase 2012 isalready underway.Jürgen Schneider, Regional General Manager forSiemens Australia is Deputy Chair of the SEMIPSteering Committee. At Siemens, Jürgen isheavily involved in business development acrossthe sectors of industry, energy and healthcare.‘In today’s competitive market, businessesshould always look at how they can innovateto grow and improve their organisation. Beinginvolved with SEMIP and attending their eventsis an ideal and affordable way to do so,’Mr Schneider said.To learn more about SEMIP, go towww.semip.org.au or email michelle.humphreys@semip.org.auSTOP PRESS – ECOTECH WINSEcotech has won the Victorian ExportAward for Innovation Excellence at the2011 Governor of Victoria Export Awards. Italso received a commendation in the Smallworld’s leading designers of ambient airand emission monitoring systems. It alsooperates the largest network of monitoringsystems in the southern hemisphere.to Medium Manufacturer Award category.Ecotech has been exporting itsThe year 2010-11 was one of record salesand exports for Ecotech, which saw James Agiusenvironmental monitoring instruments anda global uptake in its atmosphericreceives Ecotech’ssystems, which are made in Knoxfield, toresearch instrumentation. This was anAward from themore than 60 countries for over 30 years.Governor of Victoria,impressive achievement consideringAlex Chernov.The company has become one of thethe high Australian dollar.[2]Knox Business Life | Issue 48 NOVEMBER 2011

Knox Economic DevelopmentMELBOURNE’S MOSTLIVEABLE SUBURB?HELEN JOINSKNOX TEAMHelen Ruddell has joined theKnox Economic Developmentteam as Senior ProgramManager.Supported by a lengthy career working forlarge businesses in the private sector, Helenhas been working at Yarra City Council forseven years helping to ensure that municipalitymaintains and grows its prosperous and uniqueeconomy.As a Knox resident, Helen is looking forward tobeing part of the team at Knox Council workingwith the business community to ensure theCity of Knox continues as an internationallycompetitive, inclusive and dynamic economy.WON ANAWARD?Calling all award winners!Tell us about your businesssuccesses and achievements.Knox City Council is pleased to highlightand promote these to the wider businesscommunity through Knox Business Life.Please provide a brief outline of yourachievements via email to eco.dev@knox.vic.gov.auWhile Melbourne is the best city inthe world in which to live, accordingto the latest Economist IntelligenceUnit’s Global Liveability Survey*, Knoxis certainly one of its most liveablesuburbs because:• of its low unemployment rate 1.2%less than the Melbourne average.In March 2011, the ABS estimatedKnox’s unemployment was3.8% compared to MetropolitanMelbourne’s 4.9%; and• journey to work data from the2006 Census reveals that 40.7% ofKnox residents worked in Knox.This compares to 28.8% of Monashresidents who work within Monash.For the remainder of Knox residents,the majority don’t travel far with 13.3%of Knox residents working in YarraRanges, 8.7% in Maroondah, 7% inCasey, 5.1% in Whitehorse and 5% inMonash.Cr Darren Pearce, Chair, KnoxEconomic Development Committeesaid it is desirable for residents to workin the municipality because they havethe convenience of working close tohome with reduced travel time andless reliance on motor vehicles, and havemore time to spend with their families.‘As a Council we want to create anenvironment where it is asattractive as possible forbusiness to relocate,invest and develop newcommercial and industrialproperties that will create thejobs,’ said Cr Pearce.‘Successes to date include the newInnovation Centre at VCAMM andongoing development in the CaribbeanBusiness Park. And while it is in theearly phase, Stamford Business Estate isopening up for commercial and industrialdevelopment, which will provide anattractive location to base a business.‘Councils are constrained in what theycan do in terms of directly creatingemployment. Business invests andlocates on a whole range of financial andeconomic considerations, so what we doas a Council is create the planning andinvestment environment that will attractquality businesses.’* In a ranking of 140 cities around the world,Melbourne was given a score of 97.5%.CaribbeanBusinessPark.[4]Knox Business Life | Issue 48 NOVEMBER 2011

Knox Economic DevelopmentSIGMA’S HQNOW IN KNOXSigma Company Limitedhas recently consolidatedand relocated its Victorianwarehouse operations to anew site in Rowville, whichhas also become Sigma’s newnational head office.Sigma is a wholesaler and distributor ofpharmacy and consumer products, andowns the pharmacy brands Amcal, AmcalMax and Guardian.Distribution centres formerly in Lavertonand Clayton and offices that were inCroydon and Clayton are now operatingfrom the one location.The office building and adjacent warehousehave undergone a complete refurbishmentand are designed for maximum efficiencyfor its 400 employees. The facilities offerstate-of-the-art features in all aspects ofdesign including a fully equipped staffcafé.Mark Hooper, CEO of Sigma, saidRowville was selected for its newcorporate head office and centraldistribution centre because ofthe availability of superiortransport infrastructureSigma’s newwith easy access tohead office isMelbourne’s freeways, thenow in Rowville.ability to consolidate all theMelbourne distribution centreson one site and provision of a‘Knox City Council has offered great supportmore spacious facility to accommodate by providing a range of information to enablethe needs of employees.Sigma to facilitate planning and refurbishmentof its new facilities. The Council also provided‘The numerous benefits to Sigmaimportant local information in the form ofin combining its various Melbournea welcome pack for Sigma employees, withoperations include improveddetails that included bus routes, shopping,productivity and staff morale due torunning and bike tracks.’open and collaborative work spaces,and the synergies offered by having all Sigma has distribution centres in everydepartments in the one location,’ MrAustralian state and employs 900 staffHooper said.nationally.GET THE TREATMENT IN KNOXMelissa O’Connor,Remedial Massage Therapist,Claudia Ciorciari, Spa Directorand Sarah McAndrew, SpaBeauty Therapist make youfeel welcome at the newendota spa Knox.endota spa is an Australian success storythat has arrived in Knox owned andoperated under franchise by Claudia andFrank Ciorciari.Although endota spa Knox is their firstbusiness together, Frank is an experiencedbusinessman running Café Sapore inChadstone and Sette Bello restaurant inGlen Waverley.Claudia’s background in retail, hospitalityand account management, positions herwell to manage endota spa in Knox, which islocated in Knox City and offers treatmentsincluding massage, spa body treatments,facials, waxing, manicures, pedicures, spraytan and spa treatment packages.The new business employs six therapists,including one remedial therapist with aprovider number, so patients can claim onhealth insurance.According to Claudia, ‘Knox groups will bewell catered for, from group spa treatmentsto corporate retreats and couple packages.‘Exclusive to Knox businesses, we arepleased to offer them ‘Mid-week Magic’.This means for any booking from Mondayto Wednesday all half hour treatments areupgraded to one hour,’ she said.www.endotadayspa.com.au/knox[6]Knox Business Life | Issue 48 NOVEMBER 2011

KNOXwww.knoxbusinessdirect.com.auMORSE AFINALIST INENGINEERINGAWARDMorse Air Systemsin FerntreeGully has won aCommendationfor one of itsproducts atthe prestigiousVictorianEngineeringExcellence Awards inthe Product Design andManufacturing categoryfor 2011.An Australian owned and operatedcompany, Morse has 30 years experiencein the design and manufacture ofindustrial fans with its expertiseextending to the design, engineeringand installation of air handling andventilation systems.Morse fans and systems are used acrossa broad range of industry including themining, energy, food, packaging, steeland transport industries.Approximately 25 per cent of itsproducts are for export markets and aresold to a wide range of other equipmentmanufacturers in the heat treatmentand surface finishing industry, as well asend users. Customers such as BlueScopeSteel and ALCOA, rely on Morse to repairtheir fans and keep their operationsrunning smoothly.The submission for the EngineeringAward comprised a series of newFactory testing aMorse fan assembly are(L to R) Chris Morse andMichael Morse from MorseAir Systems, Robin Bowefrom Cement Australiaand Stuart Crowley,also from Morse.kiln cooling fans, engineered andmanufactured by Morse, that morethan doubled the amount of coolingair compared to the existing fansand reduced the noise levels fromapproximately 100 to 78 dB at onemetre. It achieved this while using thesame power consumption.The direct benefit to the customerwas to eliminate an environmentaland occupational hazard, contributeto increasing the kiln life from 12 to 15months and producing significant costsavings.Morse has 15 employees and movedto Knox 20 years ago to be closeto local manufacturing servicesand infrastructure. Its key supplypartners include New Touch Laser andPrecision Balancing. Stadium Signsis used for all its outdoor advertisingand signage.www.morseairsystems.com.auLINDE SOLVESSPACEPROBLEMSWith Linde Material Handling‘bursting at the seams’ at itsstate office in Wellington Road,Rowville, they had no optionbut to move.Wanting to stay in the same area so thatemployees weren’t inconvenienced withadditional travel time to work, Linde found theideal location at Dalmore Drive in CaribbeanBusiness Park.The business moved in August and now has awarehouse of 3500 square metres and officespace of 1500 square metres, which is a 40 percent increase.The company is a foremost maker of lift andwarehouse trucks and a major manufacturer ofhydrostatic drives that are used in construction,farming and forest machinery.The company’s 235 staff nationally and 49 inVictoria provide sales of equipment, forklifthire, fleet management and servicing.Linde launched the first forklift truck with ahydrostatic drive in 1960, called the Hubtrac. Itslatest generation of hydrostatic drives launchedin 2002 does not have a mechanical reductionstage, which provides an increased powerdensity.One of Linde’slarge-capacityforklift trucks.Knox Business Life | Issue 48 NOVEMBER 2011 [7]

Knox Economic DevelopmentONE BATTERYFOR SIXMACHINESWINSAWARDSTIHL has taken out a Best inCategory-Consumer Award forits 36 volt modular cordlesspower tool range at theAustralian International DesignAwards (AIDA).Held in Melbourne in July, AIDA acknowledgedthe design of the STIHL range, which consistsof a chainsaw, two grass trimmers, a leaf blowerand two hedge trimmers. All machines utilisethe one battery with the option of rapid orstandard chargers available. In the future, therange will increase to cover other categories ofoutdoor power equipment.Unlike conventional electric motors, STIHL cordlesstools are fitted with brushless motors as standard,which eliminates the need to replace carbonbrushes and makes the motor maintenance free.Because all STIHL cordless products are lowin noise, it allows the operator to use theequipment early or late at night, as well as innoise sensitive areas such as hospitals.About STIHLSTIHL Pty Ltd was the first subsidiary companyestablished by the STIHL Group outside Europe,and is currently the sixth largest in annualturnover, employing around a hundred staff.The company is headquartered in Victoria withits central distribution centre in Knoxfield andstate offices in NSW, QLD, SA and WA.A STIHL chainsawthat is part of itsaward-winning 36 voltmodular powertool range.SWAGS OFAWARDSFORBACKPACKBEDKnox-based Swagsfor Homeless haswon the world’s largestproduct design award:the German 2011 Red Dot‘Best of the Best’ fortheir Backpack Bed .Competing against 4433 entries from60 countries, Swags for Homeless isthe first Australian recipient and firstcharity globally to be awarded thehighest Red Dot award honour sincethe awards inception in 1955. Pastwinners include Rolls Royce, AppleInc. and Mercedes Benz.Swags for Homeless, is a non-profitcharity founded by Tony Clark thatis helping Australia’s street-sleepinghomeless with its unique rolled-upbed that provides protection fromwind, rain and mosquitoes and can beused as a fully functioning backpack.Thousands of theBackpack Beds havebeen distributedaround the world.Founder of Swags forHomeless, Tony Clark,with co-designer wife,Lisa Clark and one oftheir latest awards.For Australia’s 100,000 plus homelesspeople, the fire retardant and comfortableBackpack Bed provides welcome relief.Other awards in 2011 includetwo accolades at July’s AustralianInternational Design Awards (AIDA): TheSydney Powerhouse Museum selectedthe Backpack Bed as the top productdesign among all AIDA finalists with theadditional honour of being acquired intothe Museum’s permanent collection; andthe AIDA’s gold logo Design Award in theSport and Leisure category.Following commencement of productionin 2009, Swags for Homeless partnerswith more than 100 charities throughoutAustralia to distribute life-savingemergency relief Backpack Beds tohomeless people who are turned awayfrom shelters.With community support, Swags forHomeless has manufactured 3,000Backpack Beds over the past 12 months.Considerable interest and orders arrivedaily from all parts of the globe.www.swags.org.au[8]Knox Business Life | Issue 48 NOVEMBER 2011

KNOXwww.knoxbusinessdirect.com.auEASTERNWOMEN ONTHE GOThis year’s forum, held inAugust at Knox Civic Centre,attracted almost 100 peoplewho heard about thesuccessful business journeysof three Knox-based women.The morning also includedexhibitors from a variety ofbusinesses with networkingthe top priority.Ellese Templeton is a Funeral Director andestablished Templeton Family Funerals at age24, following a passion she had for the industryfrom a very young age. Ellese believes that ifyou want something, you need to go and get itand should never give up a dream.Kelly Pollock and her husband Wayneestablished Paul Sadler SwimlandRowville and faced many challengesof starting a business — working longhours, managing growth and meetingthe expectations of the Paul Sadler group,sacrificing everything except businessand family. Kelly explained that youmust always plan to achieve your bestoutcomes in business and be willing toshift when required.Jane Riley runs Set 4 Life and is aspeaker, trainer and inspirationalconsultant to individuals andbusinesses and regularly runsinteractive workshops. Janealso encourages womento get excited by life andJane, Ellese andstart a bucket list. She saidKelly following theirit’s great fun and allowspresentations.your imagination to getexcited.Dates for next year’s events are:Maroondah City Council – Wednesday, 14 MarchYarra Ranges Council – Thursday, 7 JuneKnox City Council – Thursday, 30 AugustKNOXENVIROTECHCLUSTERSTUDYOf the more than 13,000businesses based in Knox, atleast 1 per cent (120) is partof the envirotech sector.These are businesses with a commitmentto addressing environmental issues,either through the way they work, or theproduct or service they provide.Because Knox has a healthy advancedmanufacturing and a highly skilledresident workforce, it’s no surprisethat envirotech enterprises are wellrepresented in the region.These businesses design and manufactureenergy efficient building products,water pumps, car parts and recycledpaper and plastic products. They provideenvironmental testing services and wasteremoval and recycling.The envirotech sector is a rapidly growingpart of Australia’s economy. Currentlyworth around $22 billion, it is growing at7 per cent per annum and is expected todouble in size by 2020.Knox City Council is keen to ensure themunicipality shares in this growth and itsEconomic Development Team is currentlydeveloping a plan to help the sectorthrive in Knox.Interviews with the managers ofestablished envirotech enterprises andthe results from an online survey havehighlighted the potential to grow asthe market for envirotech products andservices expands. Opportunities exist inmanufacturing, construction, waste andwater treatment and professional services.By using the information gathered throughthe study, the Council can prioritise actionsthat will assist the sector. Already it is clearthat helping to improve business networks,showcasing envirotech products andservices and continuing to improve thequality of commercial and industrial parksare essential if the industry is to succeed.For more information on this project, pleasecontact Kate Harris at Knox City Council on9298 8000.Knox Business Life | Issue 48 NOVEMBER 2011 [9]

Knox Economic DevelopmentSAVINGENERGYSAVES$40,000PER YEARKnox City Council hascut energy use by upto 35 per cent acrosstwo key facilities —Knox Leisureworks andKnox Civic Centre andin the process put aconsiderable dent in itsannual electricity bill.Annual Electricity Use (kWh)1,400,0001,350,0001,300,0001,250,0001,200,0001,150,0001,100,0001,050,0001,000,000Annual Electricity Use (kWh)Knox Civic Centre2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010It’s all part of the Council’s GreenhouseAction Plan, which has seen innovativesolutions to the energy challenge byimplementing many industry firsts.The initiatives include:• A grid-interactive photovoltaicsystem with battery back-up at KnoxLeisureworks. This locally designedand built inverter forms part of astandalone solar photovoltaic (PV)system that allows for 3-phase powerto all administration areas.• A roof-mounted solar pre-heatingsystem over almost 1,400 squaremetres to supplement heating tothe warm water, 50 metre pools andother uses, which is estimated to savearound 30 per cent of natural gas.• Passive cooling measures such as heatreflective paints (from Astec Paints,Bayswater), managed lighting controls,tinting of north and west facingwindows and removing heat from theCivic Centre’s central Atrium usingsolar powered heat extraction fans.• Double glazed windows and extraroof insulation and installation ofenergy efficient T8 to T5 lights.• Installation of voltage optimisingunits called The Ark, an advancedtransformer that balances the voltageacross the three phases and filtersharmonics.The savings in energy correspond to afinancial saving of around $40,000 perannum, resulting in an average paybackof around five years.The roof of KnoxLeisureworks has beentreated with heatreflective paint andboasts solar panels andsolar water heaters.THANK YOUThanks to all those Knox organisations whoparticipated in the online survey and personalinterviews. We have been delighted with theresponse rate, and are grateful for the feedbackyou’ve given.We are now going through what you have toldus and putting together a strategy to improvethe communication and delivery of the serviceswe provide to the Knox business community.This information can be viewed at www.knoxbusinessdirect.com.auIf you do have questions about the processor would like to contribute in any way pleasecontact Kate Harris on 9298 8000.DID YOUKNOW?Rowville was named after the Rowfamily, who built and occupied thehistoric Stamford House. The 19thcentury Stamford House adjoinsStamford Business Estate and isconsidered an integral part ofRowville and its history.SMES WANTEDFOR ATO PILOTIn September 2011, the Australian Tax Officelaunched a three month trial of the SmallBusiness Tax Forum, creating a uniqueopportunity for small businesses to interactdirectly with senior ATO staff, share experiencesand views, and also hear from other smallbusinesses facing similar tax challenges.Businesses interested in participating inthis pilot community, should first contactTony Watkins on (08) 7422 2518 ortony.watkins@ato.gov.au[10]Knox Business Life | Issue 48 NOVEMBER 2011

KNOXwww.knoxbusinessdirect.com.auFIRSTBUSINESSESFORSTAMFORDBUSINESSESTATEThree local businesses have announcedthey will be moving to StamfordBusiness Estate in Rowville and takingadvantage of its excellent locationand surrounding green parkland andwetlands.Javac, Matthews Australasia and DesignTo You, will be moving to the estate inEnterprise Drive, which is zoned Business3 and located within the Scoresby-Rowville Employment Precinct (SREP).The purpose of this zone is to encouragethe integrated development of officesand manufacturing industries andassociated commercial and industrialuses.Knox City Council has identifiedSREP as an important asset with theprecinct envisioned to become a‘specialist activity centre’ focussing onresearch and development, industryand technology, warehousing anddistribution and office uses.The SREP policy works with Council’szoning to uphold the quality of theworkforce, amenity and businesseswithin the Rowville area.JavacAfter 40 years located in Rushdale Street,Knoxfield, Javac is looking forward tomoving into new, upgraded premisesthat provide 40 per cent more space.The new offices and manufacturingfacilities will allow Javac togain more efficiency inits processes, whichcan complement newtechnologies that arecurrently available.Javac manufactureshigh-vacuumpumps, recovery andcharging machinesfor the refrigerationand air conditioningindustry as well assupplying vacuum pumpsand scientific equipmentto medical and researchfacilities.Matthews AustralasiaMatthews, which has been at itscurrent location for nearly 20 years,will amalgamate two properties andits three businesses into the one largercomplex of around 3,000 square metresin 2013.The businesses are:• Matthews Intelligent Identificationis the Australian leader in productidentification and producttraceability solutions, whichincorporate coding and labellingequipment;• iQVision is the first national visioninspectionsolutions companyproviding reliable and robustsolutions to Australian manufacturers,implementing objective qualityassurance and enhancing processcontrol; and• Matthews Safety Products has awide range of high quality spillcontainment and managementsolutions from New Pig US.Designs To YouStamford BusinessEstate has excellentexposure to majorroadways and is withinwalking distance of StudPark Shopping Centre.Designs To You is moving less than onekilometre away in May 2012 to its newbuilding of 2,200 square metres, whichwill allow the company to expand itsoffices and warehouse.A supplier of high quality, affordable andfashionable corporate wear, Designs ToYou garments are designed and made inAustralia.Tony and Maria Grossi, who both ownand run the business, chose StamfordBusiness Estate because they live in theKnox area and want to stay close to home.They also appreciate the green surroundsand are looking forward to sitting in theirnew boardroom, which will overlook thewetland.Knox Business Life | Issue 48 NOVEMBER 2011 [11]

Knox Economic DevelopmentTWO-YEARDEGREESwinburne University of Technology’s Wantirnacampus in 2012 is introducing a new suite ofassociate degrees.An associate degree is a two-year universitydegree that gives students a uniquecombination of theoretical knowledge andpractical skills, helping them stand out toemployers when they graduate.For students interested in continuing theirstudies, these degrees can fast track their wayinto a relevant bachelor degree, receivingcredit for what they have already learned.The Wantirna campus also offerstraditional TAFE programs, ranging fromapprenticeships to advanced diplomasin the areas of business, engineeringand technology, horticulture andenvironment, and ICT.It is home to the National Centre forSustainability, which works in partnershipwith industry, government and thecommunity to support the developmentof sustainable practices, as well as theKnox Innovation, Opportunity andSustainability Centre (KIOSC), currently underconstruction (see story on page 5).www.swinburne.edu.au/futureNOMINATIONS NOW OPENFOR 2012 MSE AWARDSThe south east region has an economicand urban structure that encapsulatesalmost 1.5 million people, supportingover 530,000 jobs.Melbourne’s South East (MSE) is a regionaleconomic development alliance of tenlocal councils, utility companies, and stateand federal government departments.Its mission is to build a collaborativeand cooperative approach to economicdevelopment in Melbourne’s SouthEast, which delivers prosperity for thenext generation within the frameworkof the Regional Economic Strategy forMelbourne’s South East (2009-2030).Melbourne’s South East Business Awardsprovide an opportunity to recognisebusiness achievement, foster business tobusiness networking and contribute toregional economic growth. MSE recognisesthose businesses that have made a valuablecontribution to the south east regioneconomy by acknowledging their successand achievements at the Melbourne’sSouth East Business Awards, Gala Dinnerand Awards Presentation Evening.To enter the awards, download anomination form that will soon beavailable from www.knoxbusinessdirect.com.au. The information on this form,along with a review undertaken by theMSE Awards Assessment Committee willassist in the judging and selection ofaward category winners.The 2012 categories are:• Business of the Year Overall BusinessExcellence• Large Enterprise Award(over 100 employees)• Medium Enterprise Award(21–99 employees)• Small Business Award(20 and under employees)• Home Based Business Award• Environmental and Sustainability Award• Chair’s Award - Business Growthand DevelopmentFurther enquiries can be made toWill Gerhard, Business & EconomicDevelopment, City of Whitehorse.Tel: 9262 6453.Email: will.gerhard@whitehorse.vic.gov.auNominations close on 31 December 2011.Knox Council Economic Development• provides a first point of contact for businesses• provides information and advice• promotes the City’s features to attract new investment• helps businesses become internationally competitive• promotes www.knoxbusinessdirect.com.au• works with business, government and regional organisations• assists with site selection• facilitates training for businessesContactKnox Civic Centre511 Burwood HwyWantirna South 3152Ph: 9298 8000Fax: 9801 0389www.knoxbusinessdirect.com.auwww.knox.vic.gov.aueco.dev@knox.vic.gov.auPublicationKnox Business Life is published two timesa year. Suggestions and contributions arewelcome and should be forwarded toKnox Council’s EconomicDevelopment unit.Knox Business Life is published by the KNOX COUNCIL ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT unit.Concept design by THE GRAPHIC DESIGN YARD. www.thegraphicdesignyard.com.auPrinted by HIGHWAY PRESS. www.highwaypress.com.auProduced by WMC PUBLIC RELATIONS.www.wmcpr.com.auKnox City Council denies any liability for any loss, damage or injury resulting from any person relying on information obtained by or through this newsletter. Some information that may appear in this newsletter is provided by a third party;such information is made available in good faith as a community service. Authorised and printed by Knox City Council, 511 Burwood Highway, Wantirna South VIC 3152.[12]Knox Business Life | Issue 48 NOVEMBER 2011